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There, I answered his question. I’m still not sure if that was a good move or not. Why do I want to tell him everything about me?
I don’t understand, but want him to see the real me, Ella not Riley or Ash. But that’s dangerous and I know it, but something inside me just trusts him.
Aiden reaches over and takes my hand into his, squeezing it supportively. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. Losing one parent is bad enough, but both in one go? That’s tough.”
“Yes,” I reflect back. “Yes, it was. I was very close to both of them, and it took me a very long time to get over their death. Actually, I’m not sure I’ll ever get completely over it, but I’ve reached a point when I realized life is too short to waste it on being sad.”
“That’s well said and entirely true. Being in conflict zones, where death and suffering is a daily occurrence certainly drove that point home.”
Then he adds with a smile, “Thank you for telling me.”
And I can’t help the smile tugging on my lips as warmth spreads through my chest.
Arriving in Marietta, Aiden drives his SUV into the underground carpark beneath a highly secured building.
“Here we are. Welcome to your new home.”
“Well, I hope the garage won’t be my new home. It looks a little austere,” I half-joke, making Aiden grin.
Holy shit, he looks even more gorgeous when his face lights up like this.
“Come on. I’ll take you up.” He leans over to take out a key card from the glove compartment.
I hold my breath at his sudden nearness, his aftershave with the fresh alpine scent hitting me all over again, and I clench my fists to stop myself from doing something stupid.
“You’ll need this,” he says, handing me the card, seemingly unaware of the effect he has on me. God, I can’t wait for him to leave. And hopefully never come back.
He spells danger for my heart. And I’ve had enough of that in recent weeks to last me a lifetime.
We take the elevator up to the top floor, and Aiden opens the door, turning on all the lights. The apartment is spacious, with a modern design, and well equipped.
It’s nice… really nice. But nothing is mine. Nothing is familiar and can give me instant comfort, yet.
An open-plan kitchen and living area lead to a large terrace with high espaliered ivy barriers shielding us from outside views. Privacy is the word.
There are two large bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. One has a wall of windows that would allow sunlight to stream in and make this a real happy space and if I’m still here after I tell Gary about the baby, I decide this will be the nursery.
“Looks like you’ve got an admirer already,” Aiden says, pointing to a large vase of flowers. He tries for a jovial expression, but fails, the slight edge in his voice giving him away.
Oh please! Not another jealous male!
“Seems that way,” I reply with a smirk on my face.
I bet the flowers are from Rhia. She’s thoughtful like that. When I moved into my last apartment in Dublin, the living room was filled to the brim with balloons, some of them with little messages for me.
I spot an envelope by the vase. I can’t wait to read it, but first I have to get rid of Aiden.
“Thank you so much for all your trouble getting me to Atlanta. I have a whole new reservoir of interesting and very useless facts that I’m sure will come in handy at some stage and a broadened imagination after the Joe and Sue video interlude.”
“That was quite something, wasn’t it?” We stand in awkward silence for a moment, Aiden seemingly not wanting to leave. His shoulders are stiff and his jaw is slightly clenched. I wonder what’s on his mind.
No, Ella. You’re not wondering. Just let him go.
“Is there anything else you need?” he asks.
Jeez. He really doesn’t want to go. But I really need him to. I need to break this spell between us, and distance is bound to do that.
“I’m good. Thank you again.” I walk toward the front door and Aiden reluctantly follows me. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
